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AV over Cat 5e: AA Avatrix or Alternative?

7841 Views 33 Replies 11 Participants Last post by  simkiss, 
M
I need some advice. First off, I am going to go with an AV over cat 5e solution, so please don't comment on the disadvantages of this setup -- I have the wiring in place and the quality will be fine for my purposes.


I really, really would like to get the AA Avatrix so I am hoping that Trent will chime in here and make me an offer I can't refuse! :D

Unfortunately, it is out of the budget for what I want to spend at this time.

This is my current situation:

I have a media/wiring closet in my garage downstairs right behind my main LCD HD TV in the living room that is currently is fed directly from the media closet. I have 3 other smaller (26") HD capable LCD's -- 2 upstairs and 1 downstairs that will be portable between the patio and the garage. I have 2 cat 6 and 2 cat 5e lines going to each room upstairs and 2 cat 5e lines to the patio. I have 3 HD DirecTiVo's, 5 SD DirecTiVo's and an HTPC that I am currently using just to serve DVD's to my living room TV. All my DirecTiVo's are hacked so that they have network access which enables me to access any of the recordings from the SD DirecTiVos from any other SD DirecTiVo (the HD DirecTiVo's don't have this multiroom viewing capability yet). At each upstairs location I currently have a SD DirecTiVo hooked up to allow this network access to shows recorded on other DirecTiVo's.

This is what I want to be able to do:

I want to move all the DirecTiVo's downstairs to my media closet and probably eliminate a few of them. I would like to have a video distribution system that would be capable of inputing 4 or 5 sources (2 or 3 HD DirecTiVo's, 1 SD DirecTiVo and DVD's from my HTPC) and sending these to 3 remote locations (expandable for the future). In the remote rooms, I have a combination of AV receivers, or speakers that are driven from my AV Receiver in the media closet. I can work around the sound requirements, but for purposes of this discussion, let's assume that I want to be able to send component video, digital audio and stereo audio to each room and have IR remote control available in each room. I will be using both standard TiVo remotes and touchscreens running MainLobby in each room for control.


The AA Avatrix would do everything that I need, but I am not going to spend that much money at this time. I am sure that I am missing some other possibilities, so please feel free to let me know what they are. I would appreciate your comments on the pro's and con's of each possible solution I list below and also let me know if I am completely out to lunch.

Alternatives to The Avatrix:
  1. Option 1: Buy a used AV matrix device that allows 4 or more inputs with 4 or more outputs, via component, analog stereo and digital audio (I could live w/o the digital audio if needed). Place this in my media closet and hook all my input devices up to it. Use component/digital audio baluns connected to one cat 5e/6 line and another stereo/composite 3 RCA balun to the 2nd cat5e/6 line for Room 1 (repeat for each of the remote rooms). I was thinking that I could use the composite video line of the 3 RCA balun for IR distribution -- would this work? Also, I really like the AA wall plates that they have for the AA 9870 . Would I be able to mix and match video and audio baluns listed above with this wall plate or do they need to be matched from the same manufacturer?

  2. Option 2: Buy a used AV matrix device that allows 4 or more inputs with 4 or more outputs, via component, analog stereo and digital audio (I could live w/o the digital audio if needed). Place this in my media closet and hook all my input devices up to it as in Option 1. Hook the outputs of the AV matrix to either multiple AA 9870's or multiple CE Labs cat 5 TX/RX units. For the garage/patio TV, I would use the 2 output option, but for other locations I would only use 1 output per transmitting device. So currently I would need 3 devices. If I am only using 1 output device per transmitting device, should I be concerned with the lower bandwidth of the CE units compared to the AA units?

  3. Option 3: Forego the AV matrix switcher for now and just buy one signal distribution device either AA or CE (would be shared between 1 room upstairs and the patio -- which are the 2 rooms that would be least likely to be watching TV at the same time). Keep the current DirecTiVo boxes hooked up to the other room upstairs.


Thanks for enduring this long post and I welcome your comments / advice.


thanks,

Murray
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I had the same situation and finally went with AA Avatrix and could not be happier. Trent has also been great support with setup. It does cost alot more but is a very clean and well setup and thought out device.


Tim
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I was in the exact same position. The people at AA were awesome and their product looks great. I just couldn't handle the price tag. I am now going to go with the videostorm Matrix over Cat 5 with muxlabs baluns on the ends. This is a 6x4 solution that may work for you.

On a plus, it integrates with ML Lobby for expanded control.
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Providence -


I went to the VideoStorm website but I couldn't find the matrix switcher over Cat 5 - can you provide a link or part #?
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rick Sass
Providence -


I went to the VideoStorm website but I couldn't find the matrix switcher over Cat 5 - can you provide a link or part #?
Rick, I think what Providence was referring to was mixing the VideoStorm matrix switcher with component to cat 5e baluns .


Murray
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Murray, you are completely correct. I should have been more specific. The switcher is videostorm and the change from component to cat 5 is via mux labs baluns.
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Providence -


What was throwing me was in your earlier post you mentioned that the VideoStorm was a 6x4 switcher instead of a 8x4 switcher. I noticed this swithcer only has component video inputs - how do you handle composite video sources?
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Murray, I'm looking to do something similar, and wanted to ask you a few relevant questions. First, regarding this idea:
Quote:
Originally Posted by MurrayW
...Option 2: Buy a used AV matrix device that allows 4 or more inputs with 4 or more outputs, via component, analog stereo and digital audio (I could live w/o the digital audio if needed). Place this in my media closet and hook all my input devices up to it as in Option 1. Hook the outputs of the AV matrix to either multiple AA 9870's or multiple CE Labs cat 5 TX/RX units. For the garage/patio TV, I would use the 2 output option, but for other locations I would only use 1 output per transmitting device. So currently I would need 3 devices. If I am only using 1 output device per transmitting device, should I be concerned with the lower bandwidth of the CE units compared to the AA units?
That's something I've considered as well, but (quoting only MSRPs here), once you tread into multiple 9870s (I figure I'd need at least three) you're approaching perhaps being better off just buying the AVAtrix, aren't you..?


Three 9870s would be ~$1800 and, at that point, it's only about $1k to step up to the AVAtrix.


Additionally, If I might insert one more query of my own (though it displays my lack of understanding of distribution) - I understand how the signals route to the various locations (be it the AVAtrix or a 9870 or the like), what I do not understand is how to assure that two (or more) locations are not attempting to utilize the same source (changing each other's channels or the like) - how's that done..?


In my setup, I'll have one Tivo S3 and I'm unclear how "control" over individual units is achieved.


Thanks.


Great thread.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rick Sass
Providence -


What was throwing me was in your earlier post you mentioned that the VideoStorm was a 6x4 switcher instead of a 8x4 switcher. I noticed this swithcer only has component video inputs - how do you handle composite video sources?


Your right that it only handles component. If you read his original post again however, he is only looking to distribute component cable.
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Murray,


Nice speaking to you over PM - I'll be glad to answer any further questions you might have.


I would recommend purchasing not only what will satisfy you now, but what you know you will want in the future. If you think you might want to be able to watch any source, anywhere go with the system that lets you achieve that - it's less expensive than buying once, then buying again.


To everyone else - thank you for the glowing praise - we do our best to provide great support and honest insight into how best to approach your signal distribution challenges.


Trent
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Quote:
Originally Posted by stickyfingers
Murray, I'm looking to do something similar, and wanted to ask you a few relevant questions. First, regarding this idea:That's something I've considered as well, but (quoting only MSRPs here), once you tread into multiple 9870s (I figure I'd need at least three) you're approaching perhaps being better off just buying the AVAtrix, aren't you..?


Three 9870s would be ~$1800 and, at that point, it's only about $1k to step up to the AVAtrix.
It's true, the AVAtrix is much more performance for the buck. However, it really all depends on what your particular application is, and how best to achieve it. If you only need one source at a time, the 9870s might be the way to go - as you alluded they can be easily chained together to provide a one-in, six-out system. They do have an IR pathway as well.
Quote:
Additionally, If I might insert one more query of my own (though it displays my lack of understanding of distribution) - I understand how the signals route to the various locations (be it the AVAtrix or a 9870 or the like), what I do not understand is how to assure that two (or more) locations are not attempting to utilize the same source (changing each other's channels or the like) - how's that done..?


Great thread.
There's not currently a way to assign "default sources" to a particular Wallplate, but we're working on just such an addition for a future firmware release. Basically, once you select a source, you have control, but anyone else who selects the same source will also be able to control that source.


The simplest way to prevent cross-controlling a source is to use univeral remotes or some other control method to automatically select a particular cable box, for instance, so that each individual room will default to a box that either isn't in use or is different from the other rooms'.
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I'm going to revive this thread and ask a few questions. I am very interested in the AVAtrix even at the (gulp) ~$3K price. My concern is over an HTPC setup. I have one now that took some time to get the right screen size on my 50" LCD. I'm assuming that the display size would differ from set to set. Maybe some underscan, maybe some overscan. The other question would be if there is any way to get a source to an old CRT tv. If I'm going to spend this money now, I may have to wait to covert all my houses tv's to plasma or lcd.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RxMan1
I'm going to revive this thread and ask a few questions. I am very interested in the AVAtrix even at the (gulp) ~$3K price. My concern is over an HTPC setup. I have one now that took some time to get the right screen size on my 50" LCD. I'm assuming that the display size would differ from set to set. Maybe some underscan, maybe some overscan. The other question would be if there is any way to get a source to an old CRT tv. If I'm going to spend this money now, I may have to wait to covert all my houses tv's to plasma or lcd.
Hello, good to see this old thread again!


The best way to overcome the issuess of different levels of overscan from set to set is to use televisions that have the ability to control their overscan levels. This isn't very common, but they can be found. Like you indicated, what's right for one set might be wrong for the next!


The AVAtrix is a passthrough, so whatever you do to the signal will come out the other end. It doesn't contain any video processing capabilities.


As for feeding old CRTs, the best way is to use a downconverter like our Model 1361 for each of those sets. It's not cheap, but it is less expensive than buying a new television.


Trent
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Just in case anyone cares, I finally took the plunge this week and bought the AVX-661. I should have it in a couple of weeks. Trent was extremely helpful and promptly answered all of my questions -- I must have emailed him at least 10 times with "one more question..."


I'll report back on my experience once I start using it. I'm sure I'll have "one more question" a few more times as well!


Murray
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Trent,


Thanks for the reply. Is there no way to get RCA type outputs through the AVAtrix? What would happen if an rca red/white/yellow was connected to the components? Would it pass the signal?


MurrayW,


I am VERY intersted in how it works out for you. Are you going to being installing and setting it up yourself? I love to mess around with this kind of stuff and plan on doing it myself. On a side note, I messed around with audio distribution for a long time and got mixed results. I bought the Sonos system about a year ago and love it. As my wife says, it simply works. I am hoping to have similiar results with the AVatrix if I choose to go that way. Are you ditching for SD DTivos? I also have an HD-Tivo and was thinking about picking up the Directv version soon (HR20-700). Let me know how it goes. BTW, I live up in Lubbock.
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One more question. Why did you go 661 over the 551?
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RxMan1
Trent,


Thanks for the reply. Is there no way to get RCA type outputs through the AVAtrix? What would happen if an rca red/white/yellow was connected to the components? Would it pass the signal?
Hi RxMan,


You could hook up Stereo Analog (white/red) and Composite Video (yellow) to the AVAtrix, but it wouldn't make much sense to run the Stereo Analog down the component channels, considering we provide a Stereo Analog pathway for that dedicated purpose.


The difficulty with running composite across the component outputs is this: that composite source will be selectable by any TV on the system. On the HDTVs in your system, the video outputs will be hooked into their HD component inputs, so if they selected the composite video source, unpredictable results could occur when that composite source was hooked into a set's component inputs.


So in short, yes, you CAN do it, but I WOULDN'T do it. It's just a sloppy way to implement what you're trying to achieve, to be frank. Using a downconverter is the only quality way to feed all your sources that are HD component based into a SD TV.


On the front end, if you have a composite or S-Video source you need to feed INTO the AVAtrix, you can use our 1362 Upconverter.


Trent


P.S. - To Murray - thanks for your kind words - I've been glad to help you. I'll see what I can do to get your system to you ASAP!
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I understand what you are saying. I have 2 boys with plain old tv's in their rooms. I may want to distriubte SD from a Directivo to just their rooms. I realize it would also be available on other TVs and could cause problems. Just looking for a temporary solution until I can get them upgraded. This would allow me to get my media closet setup as well, instead of having some things in there and some things in the rooms.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Providince
I am now going to go with the videostorm Matrix over Cat 5 with muxlabs baluns on the ends.
Hey Providince, did you end up going with this solution? I would be curious to hear your results. I currently have the CE Labs CAT5RX/CAT5TX system and am wondering how it might work with the Video-Storm matrix.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RxMan1
One more question. Why did you go 661 over the 551?
I replied to this once, but must have forgotten to hit submit! The simple answer is that there are no 561's.


I would have rather had the 561 instead of the 661 to save some money. I don't need the DVI switching capability of the 661 (I have a Zektor DVI switcher). According to Trent, the demand for the 661 has been so high that they can't make them fast enough to keep up with demand, therefore they are focusing all their manufacturing capacity on building the 661's. Trent could not give me an estimate on when they would start producing the 561's again. In the time that I have been considering this purchase, the price of both units has already increased, so I didn't want to wait several more months and have to pay the same price or higher for a 561 than I would pay for a 661 today.


Murray
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